Thanks for your input. It seems that South Ossetia is very close to North Ossetia, and receives almost all supplies from them due to the conflict.
The Roki pass and tunnel is the easiest way into and out of this very mountainous region. Many sites describe the area outside of the big cities as lawless.
If the distance is not too difficult, bombing the tunnel would completely shut off most of South Ossetia and the Russian troops. Should not be surprised to learn that this armor was prepositioned looking for an opportunity to be used.
My gut feeling is that Georgia can't attack the pass or it would have already done so.
Very difficult when the entire province is already a defacto separate state.
Gori and its bridges will be critical for Georgia in counter attacks and defense of larger Georgia.
Equally critical for Ruissian units to either prevent counter attack, or extend their own offensive. Watch that town...if the Russians move to take it, then there is a high liklihood (IMHO) that they are going to extend their offensive beyond Ossetia.
I have read and heard reports that as many as 10-15 Russian aircraft have been downed and seen bloody pictures of dead Russian pilots.
I believe the Georgian anti-air will be effective against the close support the Russians will be doing, but also believe that they do not have a large enough Air force to press an air attack against the tunnel...though if they were going to try and use their air force, that would be a critical thing to use it for.